Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat

The Thunder batting line-up proved that they are something to be reckoned with when they fire, posting 192.

Rachel Priest fired at the top of the order, scoring 49 off just 28 deliveries, while Rachael Haynes played second fiddle at the other end. Sammy-Jo Johnson broke the opening stand with two wickets in two balls, but Harmanpreet Kaur picked up where the openers left off, scoring a brilliant 56 off 26.

She showed why she’s one of the world’s best, playing her signature cut shot beautifully and opening up the leg side with her slog sweeping. Kaur took advantage of Brisbane’s spinners with her slog sweeping and lofted cover driving allowing her to score boundaries on both sides of the wicket.

Australian representatives Jess Jonassen and Delissa Kimmince copped some tap with the ball, both conceding over eleven runs per over. Brisbane’s fielding was atrocious and would’ve cost them at least a dozen runs. They will need plenty of improvement in that department if they’re to threaten at all in this tournament.

Brisbane’s chase started solidly with Grace Harris smashing 54 off 28 at the top of the order in a brilliant display of clean hitting that included five sixes.

In the tenth over Harris holed out to Kaur who took a controversial catch that looked to hit the ground on some replays. With Harris gone the Heat lost wickets in a procession, losing 5 for 5 as Maisy Gibson and Stefanie Taylor spun a web through the Heat’s middle order.

It might be time for the Heat reconsider the Sammy-Jo Johnson at three experiment, with the pace bowler-cum-top order batter scoring just 11 off 13. Again, Brisbane stuck with a strange order, with South African T20 and One Day opener Laura Wolvaardt slotting in at eight despite averaging over 45 in One Day Internationals.

Delissa Kimmince also seems to be too low - the big hitting all-rounder came in at seven and made 38 off 23 when the match was already lost. Tactical and skill errors combined today for the Heat and they have plenty to work on before their next match.